Cabin 2.0

Aim

To enhance our project to enable more families to access our allotment by making it bigger

Since December 2021 we have been fundraising and seeking grant support for £80,000 towards a community cabin.  In January 2023 the build was completed and our community began using the cabin.

The cabin provides this community with a space to come and learn how to cook using the produce from the allotment and the chicken coup.  

 We use this space and activities to teach families about sustainable living, how to use the produce to make healthy meals and also educate the future generation about how important it is to care for our planet.  

It has improved an area in a deprived community which struggles for green space.  It has created a place for families to be able to grow and eat healthy food also contributing to a healthier mind.  It gives families the chance to enjoy outdoor activities together which are fun and challenging as well as learn new skills.

We are keen to build on our success to date and take the project a step further and are seeking financial support towards expanding our allotment to keep up with growing demand, having some fitness equipment outside to promote healthy lifestyles and a large shed to store plants and materials before planting.

Whilst our project has a practical element which is clear, the confidence, self-esteem and mental health benefits should not be underestimated.  The outdoors, the learning opportunities, the family time alongside making new friends and building community relationships are all known positive factors on improving mental health issues.  We have seen a large initial interest in the project and we want to be able to keep this momentum and continue to make these huge changes to this community.

We want our project to give this community something to be proud of, to build resilience, to educate on the environment, to give children equal opportunities and to feed families in a healthy sustainable way and promote exercise alongside healthy eating to achieve better health outcomes for local people.

In setting up this area it has given the community somewhere to talk and break down social barriers which have developed further during the pandemic.  Issues with mental health have shown to have increased in both children and adults and engaging in activities gives families the chance to relax together and get to know other families.It creates a place for families to be able to grow and eat healthy food also contributing to a healthier mind and body.  It gives families the chance to enjoy outdoor activities together which are fun and challenging as well as learn new skills.

This project successfully funded on 25th October 2023